Battle of Chickamauga

Battle of Chickamauga

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Check out our collection of photos from the Western theater's costliest battle.

(17 photos in gallery)

West Chickamauga Creek

David Duncan

The bloodiest battle of the Western Theatre started along the banks of West Chickamauga Creek, where Union cavalry delayed the Confederates' crossing. The Civil War Trust has saved 141 acres at this key battlefield.

Land Saved 2013

David Duncan

View of a portion of the 109-acre property at Reed's Bridge that the Civil War Trust saved in 2013.

Reed's Bridge

Library of Congress

On the morning of the 18th, with only three regiments of cavalry, Union Col. Robert Minty held off repeated attacks from Gen. Nathan Bedford Forrest’s rebel cavalry on Reed’s Bridge.

Retreat from Reed's Bridge

Library of Congress

As stubborn fighting continued into the afternoon, Gen. Forrest's men rushed Reed's Bridge in one quick assault, forcing Col. Minty's weary Federal cavalry to retreat.

Reed's Bridge Road

David Duncan

In 2013, we saved property located along Reed's Bridge Road, one of the key avenues for the armies in 1863 and a road through the Chickamauga and Chattanooga National Military Park

4th U.S. Cavalry Monument

David Duncan

Cavalrymen of the 4th U.S. were key to Col. Robert Minty's delaying action at Reed's Bridge.

Chickamauga Creek

Chris Heisey

On September 18th, 1863, Union Gen. William Rosecrans' Army of the Cumberland met Gen. Braxton Bragg's Army of Tennessee near Chickamauga Creek, beginning the bloodiest battle in the Western Theater.

Battle Along the River of Death

Library of Congress

Fierce fighting began on September 19 and continued bitterly until the twentieth as Bragg hammered but could not break the Union line.

Longstreet Charges

Library of Congress

On the morning of the 20th, Longstreet amassed eight brigades ready to strike the Union line, and unknowingly went forward into one of the luckiest charges of the war.

Brotherton Cabin

Civil War Trust

Longstreet aimed his attacking column towards Brotherton Cabin, directly in front of Rosecrans’s headquarters. Rosecrans and his staff were swept off the field, and panicked Federal troops scattered and retreated.

Wilder Tower

Douglas Ullman, Jr.

This 85-foot tower marks the site where Colonel John Wilder's "Lightning Brigade" made a spirited defense against Longstreet's attack. Wilder later became instrumental in creating the Chickamauga and Chattanooga National Military Park.

Defense of Horseshoe Ridge

Chris Heisey

Although his commanding officers had fled, Gen. George Thomas and his men remained on Horseshoe Ridge, repulsing Confederate attacks throughout the afternoon and withdrawing shortly after nightfall. Thomas would hereafter be known as “the Rock of Chickamauga.”

2nd Minnesota Monument

Douglas Ullman, Jr.

This monument commemorating the 2nd Minnesota's contribution to the defense of Horseshoe Ridge is one of many such monuments on this portion of the battlefield.

125th Ohio Monument

Douglas Ullman, Jr.

Part of Colonel Charles Harker's brigade, the 125th Ohio played a key role in the defense of Snodgrass Hill on September 20, 1863.

Chickamauga Today

Today, the battlefield is home to Chickamauga and Chattanooga National Military Park. Dedicated in 1895, Chickamauga was the first national military park, setting a precedent for preservation of Civil War sites.

Surveying the Carnage

Library of Congress

With over 34,000 casualties, the results of the battle of Chickamauga were stunning. Chickamauga was the second bloodiest battle of the Civil War, ranking only behind Gettysburg, and was by far the deadliest battle in the West.

Veterans of Chickamauga

Library of Congress

Veterans of Chickamauga played a monumental role in early preservation efforts of the battlefield, forming the Chickamauga Memorial Committee in 1889. Shown above is Chickamauga veteran J.J. Dackett, wearing a hat with a bullet hole received during the battle.

The American Battlefield Trust is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. Donations to the Trust are tax deductible to the full extent allowable under the law. Federal Identification Number (EIN): 54-1426643.